The shooting injured Johnson's intended target, Tauhid Taylor, according to the prosecutor's office.

The gunfire followed an Aug. 16 argument between Johnson and Taylor, then 32, according to the prosecutor's office.

Witnesses reported Johnson left the street after the dispute, then returned with a gun about 30 minutes later, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. He opened fire on Tauhid, striking him and Lowe shortly before 3 a.m., the statement said.

Lowe died a short time later at a city hospital.

Johnson, who was arrested shortly after the slaying, pleaded guilty earlier this month to aggravated manslaughter for killing Lowe and aggravated assault for injuring Tauhid.

He must serve at least 17 years before parole eligibility under the sentence imposed Thursday by Superior Court Judge Kathleen Delaney. The sentence must be served concurrently with an 8½-year term for the aggravated assault charge.